2024 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro 4X4 Review

This week I am very happy to have the 2024 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro, the 3^rd generation of the flagship SUV that debuted in 2023 completely changed.  The TRD Pro is the most expensive in the Sequoia trim lineup, but not because it is a luxury SUV, but because of its off-road abilities.  If you want luxury, go with the Capstone model I reviewed last year.

Performance

The Sequoia shares a chassis and power train with the Tundra, including the popular i-FORCE Max engine.  The technology places a 48-horse electric motor between the 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 and a traditional 10-speed automatic transmission.  It comes standard with 4-wheel drive.  This hybrid system produces amazing results.  It has 437-horses and an amazing 583 pound-feet of torque.  Bear in mind this hybrid system is designed more for power and performance more than fuel economy, although 20 combined is not bad for an over three-ton SUV.

Exterior 

Tough is the word I use to describe the exterior appearance.  The 18” BBS wheels fit the motif and they are wrapped in meaty 285/65 tires. The sculped V-shaped hood looks great and fake vents on the raised hood tell you this is the TRD Pro. 

 

 

I love the new sequential front and rear turn signals, but personally could live without the large luggage rack on top.  Covers over the wheel wells have a camouflage pattern on them and it has a spoiler extending from the roof.  The TRD off-road suspension and Fox shocks are visible and look terrific.

Interior

As you enter the cabin, you find easy-to-clean SofTex seats with a camouflage pattern to them.  They are power, and they are heated and cooled, and have lumbar supports.  The seats are embroidered with TRD Pro, and they are slightly bolstered, and quite large and comfortable.  The steering wheel feels great and says TRD at the bottom and has a red stripe at the top, so you know the steering wheel is straight while in steep climbs.

When you hit the start button, a 12” configurable gauge cluster comes to life and gives you a lot of different information on the i-Force Max power train.  You get the time and exterior temperature, there is a large speedometer and tachometer right in the middle, and to the left you can scroll through a lot of different pages giving you info on fuel range and fuel economy, and this is a shortcut to many of the safety systems the Sequoia offers.

 

However, it is the massive 14” infotainment screen that steals the show.  It operates the 14-speaker JBL stereo, navigation system, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.  This system is lightning fast and super simple.  This is one of the best touchscreens I’ve ever seen, although I think it could be more colorful, but that’s just me.

Under that are your automatic temperate-controlled air conditioning, and switches for the heated and cooled seats.

Moving down is another row of buttons including: enabling the trailer towing mode, and the absolute best 360-degree camera I’ve ever seen.  The onscreen SUV circles, and you can see everything around you.  This is a great safety feature especially when in parking lots.  On this row, you can turn off the traction control and lock-in the rear differential if you get into some really tough terrain.

 

The center console houses the gear shifter, drive mode selector, a button to engage the 4-wheel system, and a wireless phone charger.  Drive modes are eco, normal, and sport, as always, my favorite.  You can also engage tow/haul mode and the MTS, which is multi-terrain mode.  There you choose deep snow, mud, dirt, and auto.  There is also a button to engage Crawl mode.

Moving to the second row, the captain chairs are as comfortable as the front ones, they recline but do not slide, and they are heated and cooled and also have the camo pattern on them.  Rear occupants have their own automatic climate control settings, USB and USB-C ports and a 120-volt power outlet.  There is a raised hump that runs between the captain’s chairs, but do not cause too much of an issue.

2^nd row seats flip for easy access to the 3^rd row seat, which has a power recline feature.  Leg and headroom in the 3^rd row is not as roomy as I expected, but usable for two adults or three children.

Utility

Moving to the cargo area, there is a sort of strange adjustable shelf that will allow you move it to three different heights, depending on what you want to put over or under it.  I assume this is all due to placement of the hybrid battery.  The 3^rd row has power buttons, and they go up and down quickly.  There is also a 120-volt power outlet in the rear.  Total usable cargo area is not nearly as ample as some of the other large SUV competitors out there.  However, there are levers on the 3^rd row seats that allow you to slide the seats forward for more cargo area if needed and you don’t have passengers sitting there.  The tailgate is power and hands-free, and you can open just the rear glass if you desire.

Standard Equipment and Options

This Sequoia TRD Pro comes extremely well equipped with keyless remote, keyless entry, push button start, the dual power seats, fixed running boards, a rearview camera mirror, skid plates, and power tilt steering wheel.

Options include the power extending trailer towing mirrors for $290, the power panoramic moon roof for $500, trailer hitch for $87, wheel locks for $80, TRD performance air filters for $130, and the roof rack for $1,395 which I’d gladly pay if it weren’t there.

Safety 

On the safety side, Sequoia comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense which includes pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic high beam headlights, and lane tracing assist.  It also has blind spot warning.

Ride and Drive 

Driving impressions are very good.  The truck-based frame makes it feel solid, acceleration is incredible, and it even has a nice exhaust rumble.  It doesn’t drive top-heavy like it looks like it would, although steering is a little light for me. Visibility is quite good, but the cabin is not as quiet as what I found the Capstone to be.  This is likely due to the off-road tires, but that is just the price of admission for a serious off-roader.

MPG and What You'll Pay

Fuel economy for this over 3-ton SUV is 19 in town, 22 on the highway, and 20 overall, but be warned that I am struggling to get to 15 MPG overall.  This SUV will tow 9,020 pounds.  MSRP is $83,042 as you see it here.

Verdict

If you are looking for luxury in a Sequoia, go with the Capstone, but if serious off-roading is your jam, the TRD Pro is the one for you.